Job's Worst Day Series

Job’s Worst Day

Job Sermon Series, Part 2

Introduction (Job Slide)

- The book of Job is going to be a very challenging study for us

- Most people think this is about a man named Job who had a rough life

- However, we can easily fail to focus on the main character … God

- I believe this book will be a spiritual mirror for us … starting today

- Read Job 1:1-22

- Pray

Point 1 – Was Job a real person?

- One of our key questions today is, was Job a real person?

-- The short answer is yes … but let’s ensure we can understand why

- The prophet Ezekiel spoke about him as a historical figure in Ezekiel 14:14

- James, Jesus’s half brother, identifies him as one tested by God in James 5:11

- Paul quoted two times from Job as references of who God is

• Romans 11:35 (Job 41:11)

• 1 Corinthians 3:19 (Job 5:13)

- The bible tells us he lives in the land of Uz (modern day Uzbekistan)

- The loses he experiences were carried out by a real enemy, Satan

-- Also, the losses he experienced were executed by real groups of people

-- Throughout this time, Job was comforted by real people from identifiable tribes

- He lived during the time of the Patriarchs, probably ~ 2000 BC

-- This would be the same as the days of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

-- He lives to be well over 200 years old, common for patriarch’s time

- His wealth is measured in livestock, commonly done in patriarch’s time

- His leadership at home shows that he was the priest of his family

-- This identifies that Aaronic old covenant priesthood was not yet established

- Heirs include his daughters (Job 42:15); Mosaic law prohibited: Num. 27:8

-- Also tells us that he lived BEFORE the Law was given (Mt Sinai) in 1445 BC

- Job uses “Shaddai” (God Almighty) 31 times; common use for God’s name

-- Only used 17 times elsewhere in the OT (refers to prelaw, Patriarchal period)

- But the big question: Why is any of this important?

-- These facts are critical so that WE will know, and understand that this is real

-- This book is not a fairy tale, it is not an “analogy for better living today”

-- It is a historical account of what happened in a man’s life by God’s design

- Re: Wed night: What is at stake is the glory of God revealed to us

-- Honor SHOULD be given to God when the righteous suffer patiently for Him

-- APP: We can face trials with our heads up … knowing that God is at work

- TRANS: So, let’s dive in and explore Chapter 1 together

Point 2 – Setting the Stage

- Job was a man who was considered blameless before God (v1)

-- He was not sinless (there is a difference in those two words)

• Blameless: beyond reproach in personal character and conduct

• Sinless: literally, without sin (led a perfect life)

- Bottom line: No one could rightly charge Job with morale failure

-- He also feared God: he lived in awe, respect, took God seriously

- Job had seven sons, and three daughters; enjoyed unity in family (v2)

-- His family met regularly to celebrate and enjoy dinners/parties (v4)

- He was also a very successful business man (v3)

-- 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 oxen, 500 donkeys, bunch of servants

-- In the community, he would be considered “one of the wealthiest”

- Additionally, Job was a man who cared very deeply about his family (v5)

- After each family gathering, he would offer sacrifices for each of them

-- He would dedicate each child to the Lord; signifying they were the Lord’s

-- APP: Rather than holding onto them, he offered them to God willingly

Point 3 – Heavenly Conversations

- Amazingly, we get an incredible treat … to see inside God’s throne room (v6)

-- We are allowed to see a conversation that (no doubt) still takes place today

- God, in His throne room, is being attended too, and reported to, by His angels

-- These angels have been in the world; and have come to update God

-- In the midst of this, Satan also comes to give his report of what’s happening

- Take note: This is our enemy, this is the one who threatens us today

-- However, even he comes before God in submission to report on his activities

- God asks him, “Where have you come from?” (v7)

-- IMP NOTE: God knew exactly where he was and what he was doing

-- This is not a parent asking a child, where have you been … quite opposite